Appeal to allow bashed student to stay in Australia for treatment

The family of an Indian student left with permanent disabilities after he was bashed during a night out in Salamanca Place have appealed for him to be allowed to stay in Australia.

Kula and Deepalee parents of Dev Deka. Greens Multicultural Affairs spokesperson Helen Burnet who will be joined by the parents of Dev Deka an international student left paraplegic following an alleged attack in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The family of an Indian student left with permanent disabilities after he was bashed during a night out in Salamanca Place had appealed for him to be allowed to stay in Australia to receive medical treatment.

Devarshi Deka, 32, came to Australia to study a masters at the University of Tasmania

But he suffered injuries including brain damage and has been left a quadriplegic after he was assaulted in November.

Greens member for Clark Helen Burnet. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Greens MP Helen Burnet on Tuesday launched a petition calling on federal immigration minister Andrew Giles to grant him permanent residency.

“Permanent residency is something that is required if he is going to obtain the support for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and rehabilitative services,” she said.

“Permanent residency is unable to be applied for when there is medical conditions, obviously, which Dev has sustained.”

Dev Deka an international student left paraplegic following an alleged attack in Hobart. Picture: supplied

Dev with parents Deepalee Deka and Kula Deka and friend Rick Kaushik at front. Dev Deka an international student left paraplegic following an alleged attack in Hobart. Picture: supplied

Rick Kaushik has been acting as an advocate for Dev since he was injured. He says his friend needs specialised care not available near his home in India.

“He says because this happened here, I want the government to take care of me,” he said.

“We cannot do enough to fix the damage that has already happened.

“This is the least we can do is give him what he needs right now and that is the utmost care. “And without permanent residency, the only thing after his recovery is over, the only thing that he will be paid for by the insurance company is his flight back home.”

Dev’s father said his family could not afford the care their son needs.

“I am not a rich person in India. I am a retired teacher. At this moment, it is very difficult for me to save him,” he said.

“So I request the honourable government to help to come forward to help me to, help my son.”

Rick Kaushik friend of Dev. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A man has been charged with assault, stating a false name and address and resisting a police officer over the incident involving Devarshi Deka.

He has not entered a plea, remains in custody and will reappear in court in June.

The petition is available on the Parliament of Tasmania website.